$\Lambda NN$ content of $\Lambda$-nucleus potential

TL;DR

This paper uses a density-dependent optical potential to analyze $ ext{Lambda}$ hypernuclei, revealing a significant repulsive three-body $ ext{Lambda}$-nucleon interaction that impacts the hyperon puzzle.

Contribution

It introduces a minimally constructed density-dependent optical potential to quantify the $ ext{Lambda}NN$ contribution in hypernuclei.

Findings

Identifies a $ ext{Lambda}NN$ repulsive contribution of about 14 MeV.

Shows this repulsion affects the overall $ ext{Lambda}$-nucleus potential depth.

Provides insights relevant to the hyperon puzzle in nuclear physics.

Abstract

A minimally constructed $\Lambda$-nucleus density-dependent optical potential is used to calculate binding energies of observed $1s_{\Lambda}$, $1p_{\Lambda}$ states across the periodic table, leading to a repulsive $\Lambda NN$ contribution $D_{\Lambda}^{(3)}\approx 14$ MeV to the phenomenological $\Lambda$-nucleus potential depth $D_{\Lambda}\approx -30$ MeV. This value is significant in connection with the so-called 'hyperon puzzle'.